Game apparatus.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY K. CHRIST, OF MAHANOY CITY, PENNSYLVANIA.

I I GAME APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 20, 19cc.

Application filed January 29, 1906-. Serial No. 298,494.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY K. Cnnrsr, a citizen of the United States, residin at Mahanoy City, in the count of Schuyl 11 and State of Pennsylvania, ave invented new and useful Im rovements in Game Apparatus, of which t e following is a specification My invention relates to improvements 1n game apparatus, and has particular relation to apparatus of this character m which a projectile is driven over the face of the baseboard, its final position upon cessation of its movement determining the result of the particular shot.

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus especially applicable to the pla of the game of indoor baseball, in which the face of the board forming the base is marked into divisions each of which designates some well-known term in the game of base-ball and which during the course of the game have an effect on the result of the game and in connection with such marked face to provide a runway for the projectile leading to the face in a direction toward the center of the board, to e her with the provision of suitable pro'ectile-deflectors positioned on the face of t e base-board in such manner as to render the placing of the projectile on any particular division somewhat diflicult.

A further object is the provision of suitable counting or tall g means for scoring during the progress 0 the game.

To these and other ends, the nature of which will be readily understood as the invention is hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, said invention consists in the game apparatus hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawin s, Figure 1 is a plan or face view of the board. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters represent similar parts in both of the figures.

The aIne-board which comprises substantially t e complete apparatus, the projectile bein of any suitable character, such as a rubber all, (not shoWn,) consists of a baseboard 5,which may be square or rectangular in form, as desired, having at one of its sides a projecting portion or-lip 6, the lip being preferably arranged at the center of such side. The edges of the board are provided with vertically-extending flanges 7, these flanges being carried around the sides of the lip 6, thereby forming an inclosed surface on the board with the exception of the end of the lip 6, surface may be termed the playing field. If desired, the flanges adjacent to the end of the lip '6 may be cut away, as shown in Fig. 2.

As shown, the sides of the lip 6 are inclined toward each other, with the result that the flanges thereon provide a surface of increased width toward the main portion of the board, which surface forms the runway for the projectile. This runway is continued by the curved edges 8 8 of blocks 'or raised portions 9 9, located on each side of the lip 6 within the flanges 7 of the lipped side.

The board has its surface marked 03 into divisions, the principal one of which is in the form of a diamond, representin the base-ball diamond, and at the points t ereof are located suit able deflectors 10, consisting of projections covered with rubber or other suitable facin These deflectors correspond to the severa bases, including the home base, and, as shown, the deflectors located at the home base and second base are in alinement with the center of the runway, but distant from the exit or throat thereof. The lines of the diamond leading from the home base are carried to the edge of the board and correspond to the foul-lines of the game of base-ball. At suitable points on the foulline are mounted stops 11 11, which extend into foul territory and have the effect of materially stopping the progress of the projectile when brought into contact therewith. Lines 12 are drawn from the foul-line adj acent to the stops 11 to second base, roviding a division on the outer side of t e diamond, within which are located deflectors 13, corres onding in position to those usually occupie by the second baseman and shortstop. At a suitable distance from second base a curved line 14 is placed, on which line a number of deflectors 15 (preferably four in number) are located corresponding to the fielders of the game. Between the line 14 and the edge of the board a curved line 16 is placed, from the center and ends of which lines 17 are drawn, leading to the several deflect ors 15, thereby providing other divisions on the face of the board.

That portion of the face of the board within the foul-lines is divided by lines to form divisions, as shown, while a line connecting which is left open. This inclosed first and third bases divides the diamond. Between the home base, and the throat of the runway two deflectors '18 are placed as guards to render more difiicult the placing of the ball or projectile.

obtained when the resting-place of the projectile is on either of'the divisions marked secondbase hit, third-base hit, or home-run hit. When this occurs, the player moves a counter or checker around the lines of the diamond to the base indicated by the result of the shot. When, however, the projectile comes to rest on the divisions marked out, foul, strike, or

' ball, the same efiect is produced as occurs in playing the game of base-ball.

The game may be (played by two or more players and is starte by one of the players placing the ball or projectile adjacent to the mouth of the runway within the space or field 19. The ball is then struck by the finger or hand of the player, or, if desired, a one or similar implement may be used, and driven through the runway onto the surface of the board, its course thereover being deflected by the deflectors and stops until it finally comes to rest on one of the divisions on the board. The result of the shot is then tallied, either on'the counters, hereinafter described, or by the movement of the checkers 20, as the case may be. This is followed by a shot by the next player on the same side, (or by the same player,if but two players are us' the game,) whose score is counted to that of the first player, this being continued until the side is out, when the opponents take their turn in similar manner, thereby completing an inning. The side having the most runs at the close of the innings wins the ame.

Theta ying mechanism or counters are located on the blocks 9 and areof any preferred form. Those shown in the drawings comprise a pointer 22, adapted to traverse the circles surrounding them, said circles having numbered divisions, as shown. The pointer is provided with a thumb-piece 23 and is mounted on the block in such manner as to be frictionally held in the position in which it is placed. 'There are preferably six of these counters, two indicating the number of runs scored by each side and one each for the strikes, balls, and outs of the side at bat. The sixlth cgunter records the number of inmngs p aye It will be readily understood that while the deflectors 18 tend to make diflic'ultthe placing of the projectile or ball, yet the presence of the runwayof gradually-increasing width toward the pla -surface of the board enables the player to drivehis ballin different directions. This coupled with the fact that the ball may be driven with various speeds permits a skilful player to use his judgment in laying the game. l t will be seen that substantially all of the paraphernalia re uired in the laying of the game is containe on the board and arranged in such manner as to be practically free from injury. The ball or projectile and the check ers being ily-replaced if lost or mislaid.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is v 1. In a game apparatus a game-board comprising a base-board having an inclosed' playing-surface with adivi ed field including a diamond, a throat leadingonto said surface and opening directly toward one of the points of said diamond, and deflectors of any preferred'character are read-- mounted on said board, the number of defleetors including diamond. I

2. In a game apparatus, a game-board comprising a base-board having an inclosed playing-surface with a divided field including a diamond, a throat leading onto said surface and opening'directly toward one of the points of said "diamond, and deflectors mounted at predetermined points on said field, the number of deflectors includin one at each of theoints of said diamond and a pair ofv de ectors located between said throat and the nearest point of the dia-' one .at each of the points of said mond, said latter deflectors being spaced relatively to each other.

3. In a game apparatus, a game-board comprising a base-boardhavin an inclosed playing-surface with a divided eld including a diamond, a throat leading onto said surface and opening directl toward one of the points of the diamond? blocks or raised portions located on said surface adjacent to said throat, said blocks ha curved edges to form a continuation of the t oat, and tallying devices mounted on said blocks.

.4. In a game apparatus, a game-board having an inclosed playing-surface rovided with an entrance-throat, said board avin a divided field, the divisions of said field-1ncludinf a diamond opposite said throat, the iamond being divlded to provide an out and a first-base-hit space, two curved lines at different distances beyond the diamond, the field between the diamond and the first curved line being divided to form two out spaces adjacent to the diamond and a second-base-hit space, the field between the two curved lines being divided to form out and third-basehit s aces, and the field beyond the outer curve line forming a home-run-hit space. 5. In a game apparatus, a game-board having an inclosed playing-surface provided with an entrance-throat, said board having a divided field, the divisions of said field 1ncluding a diamond opposite said throat, the diamond being divided to provide an out and a first-base-hit space, two curved lines at diflerent distances beyond the diamond, the field between the diamond and the first curved line being divided to {form two out spaces adjacent to the diamond and a second-base-hit space, the

field between the two curved lines be divided to form out and third-base- 't spaces, and the field beyond the outer curved line formin a home-run-hit space, said board also having deflectors, the number of which include one at each of the points of said diamond, onein each of the out spaces adjacent to the diamond, and a plurality of deflectors located on the first curved line In testimony whereof have afiixed my signature in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

. HENRY K. CHRIST Witnesses:

G. W. SMITH, RoBT. W. WYATT. 

